Interview with David Mackenzie of Hell or High Water

I finally just saw Hell or High Water and it was pretty damn engrossing. Going in not really knowing anything about it I was really surprised at the lack of action and the story/character development that was in it’s place. The movie is much better for that as well.

Actors were all very well cast, but Jeff Bridges just kills it again. When I hear his name on the billing I’m usually expecting good to great performances and this does not disappoint. On entering the theater the only thing I knew was it is a Western, but I’d classify it first as a heist film. And I love a good heist film. It explores the grey areas between right & wrong and what could turn a normal man into performing bad deeds.

Directed by David Mackenzie, it is a powerhouse and I highly recommend it.
Cinematographer on the film was Giles Nuttgens.
Score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

After the viewing I wanted to do some research online and came across an AVclub interview with the director that is a pretty good length. I’d check if out if you’ve seen the film.
Anything with cinematography always sticks out to me, I appreciated the directors’ love for shooting 2.39:1 aspect:

I just think it’s a nicer frame. When I started making films, all the theaters, the screen would slide open the widest possible point, and that would be widescreen. But now theaters are geared up for around 16:9, so ’scope is now “letterboxed.” In a way, if you want the big picture, you shoot 16:9. But I just think that frame is much nicer—the way you can be playful with the background.